Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • December 19, 2012 Religious Notes Parishioners of St. Stephen’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Midland Park have finished the renovations to their new church building and are ready to show it off. The ceremonies leading to the consecration of the new sanctuary will begin with an outdoor procession at 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, with H.G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos as the chief celebrant. An open house, to which the community at large is invited, is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. St. Stephen’s, which belongs to the 2000-year old Indian Orthodox Church, was started in 1984 in Bergenfield, but sustained growth in its congregation forced it to look for larger quarters. The church purchased the former Church of the Good Shepherd property at 497 Godwin Ave. when that congregation merged into Trinity Episcopal Church in Allendale. A 2009 fire which totally destroyed the church hall hastened the sale of the property last year. “We had no choice. We were bursting at the seams and were limited from getting new members,” said Jobi John, the church’s administrator. “Here, we have room to grow.” Since then the 70-family congregation has totally renovated the building inside and out. Special artisans were hired to build the main altar in the gothic style architecture consistent with the traditional churches in India. The stained glass windows and seating were refurbished, a holy oil lamp was hung, and a modern sound/video system installed. The nartex was redesigned to provide seating Indian congregation to dedicate new church Left: The main altar of the church. Right: Rev. Fr. Babu K. Mathew and Jobi John and shoe and cloak storage. The stucco exterior and steeple were restored and granite steps built. Both floors of the wing damaged by the fire were totally rebuilt, installing new roofing, windows, flooring, a commercial kitchen with granite countertops, bathrooms and an elevator. These rooms, which will be used for Sunday School, youth group programs, women’s forum and social functions, will be available for rental on a limited basis, according to John. St. Stephen’s Church is one of the 52 churches in the North East American Diocese, headquartered in Muttontown, NY. Sunday worship is conducted regularly at 9 a.m. Rev. Fr. Babu K. Mathew is the parish’s vicar. The church may be reached at 201-562-6112.